1. New
Letter to Wrightslaw: "School Says I Can't Have My Child's IEP
Revised - Is This True?"

Liz writes: "My child
isn't making progress under the current IEP. I asked that we
convene an IEP meeting to revise the IEP. I've been told that
because I signed an IEP at the end of last year, I can't ask
that it be changed now. Is this true?"

2. New Letter to Wrightslaw:
"When Can School Exempt a Child From Statewide Testing?"

Most states are adopting "high
stakes testing." Although requirements differ, most states require
that the child pass a test or tests to graduate with a regular
diploma. Historically, many school districts exempted large
numbers of kids with disabilities from state tests.

Michelle writes about a disabled
child who is being educated in regular classes with accommodations
and modifications. The school does not plan to allow him to
take the mandated state test, nor do they plan to use an "Alternative
Assessment."

Michelle asked if it was legal
to exempt a student with a disability from state and district
testing. What do you think? Are students with disabilities exempt
from state and district testing? Read
our answer to Michelle.

3. New! Memorandum About Assessment
From OSEP

Do you have questions about high
stakes testing of children with disabilities? If so, you need
to get a copy of the new Memorandum on Assessment that was published
on August 24, 2000 by the U. S. Department of Education.